What is bronchoscopy?
Bronchoscopy is an endoscopic exam of the lower airways — the larynx, the windpipe (trachea) and the bronchi, down to the finer branches through which air enters the lungs. It is performed with a thin, flexible instrument (a bronchoscope) whose tip carries a miniature high-resolution camera and a light source, showing the doctor the lining of the airways from the inside, in real time.
Unlike X-ray, CT or ultrasound, bronchoscopy lets the doctor see a change directly and, during the same exam, take a sample — secretions, a washing or a piece of tissue (a biopsy) — for further analysis. That is why it is irreplaceable when imaging findings are not enough to make a clear diagnosis.
At Medical Time, bronchoscopy is carried out in controlled, hospital conditions, under sedation and constant supervision by an anesthesiologist and with modern video-bronchoscopic equipment. The goal is an exam that is precise, safe, and one the patient goes through calmly, without fear or discomfort.
Precisely because it provides a direct view of the airways and the option to take samples in the same procedure, bronchoscopy is one of the key methods in pulmonology — often decisive for an accurate diagnosis of lung and bronchial diseases.
When is bronchoscopy performed? Symptoms and indications
Bronchoscopy is recommended when airway complaints last longer, do not resolve with the usual therapy or keep recurring, as well as when a finding on a lung image requires further clarification. The goal is to separate harmless conditions in time from those that require treatment.
The most common indications and symptoms for which the exam is scheduled are:
As a general rule, persistent respiratory complaints that do not resolve — and especially coughing up blood or an unclear change on a lung image — warrant a bronchoscopy, because this is how the cause is established reliably and in time.
- a persistent cough that lasts for weeks and does not resolve with the usual therapy
- coughing up blood or blood-streaked sputum (hemoptysis)
- a suspicious shadow, nodule or narrowing seen on a chest X-ray or CT
- repeated or unexplained pneumonia in the same location
- difficult breathing, wheezing or narrowing of the airways of unclear cause
- suspicion of a tumor, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis or other lung diseases
- the need to take secretions, a washing or a biopsy for an accurate diagnosis
- suspicion of a foreign body in the airways, especially in children and older people
What bronchoscopy detects and enables
Thanks to the direct view of the airways and the option to take samples, bronchoscopy clarifies findings that other exams leave unclear and enables early diagnosis, when treatment is most successful. The exam can establish and perform:
- tumor and other changes in the lining of the bronchi, with a biopsy taken
- inflammatory and infectious lung diseases, including tuberculosis
- the cause of a persistent cough and coughing up blood
- narrowing (stenosis) and inflammatory changes of the airways
- taking a bronchoalveolar washing (lavage) for microbiological and cytological analysis
- airway toilet — removing thick secretions or plugs
- removal of a foreign body from the bronchi
- targeted sampling in cases of suspected sarcoidosis and interstitial lung diseases
Preparing for bronchoscopy
Good preparation makes the exam safer and more successful. The basic rule is that the patient should be fasting: no eating for at least 6 hours before the exam, with clear fluids stopped 2 hours earlier. An empty stomach reduces the risk during sedation and makes the exam safer.
Since bronchoscopy at Medical Time is performed under sedation, it is important that the patient comes accompanied and does not drive a vehicle or operate machinery that day. Before the exam you sign a consent form and have a short conversation with the doctor and anesthesiologist, who assess your condition and, if needed, request basic tests.
What is important to tell the doctor and to keep in mind:
- all medications you take — especially blood thinners (anticoagulants) and diabetes therapy
- chronic heart and lung diseases, previous surgeries and all allergies, particularly to medications and anesthetics
- the doctor will tell you which morning medications you may take with a little water and which to skip
- do not smoke on the day of the exam; the day before avoid heavy, fatty meals
- bring any earlier lung images, laboratory and other findings if you have them
What bronchoscopy is like — step by step and how long it takes
The exam is performed lying down or in a semi-seated position. After the anesthesiologist administers sedation and the throat and airways are locally numbed with a spray, the patient is relaxed and feels no discomfort. The doctor then carefully introduces a thin, flexible bronchoscope through the nose or mouth and guides it through the larynx, windpipe and bronchi, examining every part of the lining.
The camera transmits a magnified image in real time, so the doctor assesses the airways in detail and, if needed, takes secretions, performs a bronchoalveolar washing or takes a biopsy. The exam itself most often lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, while the whole visit — with preparation, sedation and recovery — usually takes about an hour.
Throughout the entire procedure the team, including the anesthesiologist, continuously monitors pulse, breathing and oxygen saturation, with additional oxygen supplied when needed, so the exam is at once calm for the patient and safe.
During the exam the patient breathes normally, because the bronchoscope does not close off the airway; the feeling of irritation and the urge to cough are mild and controlled with medication. When it is over, the sedation wears off quickly, so most patients wake up calmly, with no unpleasant memories of the exam.
Taking samples and the bronchoalveolar washing
The greatest value of bronchoscopy is that, along with the exam, samples for an accurate diagnosis are obtained right away. If the doctor notices a suspicious change, inflammation or narrowing, they take a tiny tissue sample (a biopsy) or secretions from the lining. Taking a sample is painless for the patient and does not significantly prolong the exam.
A bronchoalveolar washing (lavage) is often also performed — a small amount of saline solution is introduced into part of the lung, then aspirated and sent for microbiological and cytological analysis. This reliably establishes the cause of an infection or the nature of an inflammatory process, allowing targeted treatment.
The samples taken are sent for histopathological, cytological and microbiological analysis, which confirm or rule out an infection, an inflammatory disease or malignant cells. This step is decisive because it allows treatment to be accurately directed, instead of guessing based on symptoms alone.
After bronchoscopy — recovery and findings
After the exam the patient rests briefly until the effect of the sedation passes, under the supervision of our staff. A mildly irritated feeling in the throat, hoarseness or a passing increase in coughing are common and subside during the day. Because of the local numbing of the throat, you take food and drink only once the sensation of swallowing has fully returned, usually after one to two hours.
You receive the bronchoscopy findings and recommendations immediately after the exam, while the histopathological, cytological and microbiological results of the samples arrive in the following days. All images and reports are stored digitally for further follow-up and comparison.
The following hours pass calmly, with lighter food and fluids. If a biopsy was taken, a small amount of blood-streaked sputum is possible the next day, which is common.
- on the same day do not drive or operate machinery because of the effect of the sedation
- be sure to arrange someone to accompany you home
- most patients resume their usual activities as early as the next day
- contact your doctor if difficult breathing, heavier coughing up of blood, severe chest pain or a high fever occur
Why have your bronchoscopy at Medical Time
Medical Time performs bronchoscopy in modern hospital conditions, with an experienced team of pulmonologists and anesthesiologists and an individual approach to every patient. Everything — from the exam, through the laboratory and lung imaging, to additional specialist consultations — is available in one place.
After the exam we remain at your disposal to interpret the findings, arrange further tests and follow-up exams. All images and reports are stored digitally, so every subsequent check-up can be compared with the previous one and you can track how the condition changes with therapy.
- bronchoscopy under sedation, without stress or discomfort
- modern video bronchoscopes and high sterilization standards
- experienced pulmonologists and constant supervision by an anesthesiologist
- biopsy and washing taken during the same exam, without delay
- quick scheduling, without long waits
- findings and recommendations without delay, with digital storage of results
- everything in one place — diagnostics, laboratory and further treatment
Cost — Bronchoscopy
The cost of bronchoscopy depends on how the exam is performed (under sedation or with local anesthesia), on whether a biopsy or secretions are taken or a bronchoalveolar washing is done, as well as on additional laboratory and histopathological analyses. You receive the exact price and an appointment quickly, by phone or through the contact form.
- Bronchoscopy under sedation (anesthesia)
- Bronchoscopy with local anesthesia
- Additional: biopsy / bronchoalveolar washing
For the current price and an appointment call 062-399-888.
Frequently asked questions about bronchoscopy
No. At Medical Time bronchoscopy is performed under sedation and with local numbing of the throat, so the patient is relaxed and feels no pain. Only a mild feeling of irritation and a passing urge to cough are possible, and these are controlled with medication.
Yes. The bronchoscope is thin and does not close off the airway, so breathing remains normal throughout the entire procedure. In addition, the team continuously monitors oxygen saturation and adds oxygen if needed.
The exam itself most often lasts 15 to 30 minutes. The whole visit, including preparation, sedation and recovery, is usually about an hour.
You should not eat for at least 6 hours before bronchoscopy, and you stop clear fluids 2 hours before the exam. An empty stomach makes sedation safer.
No. Because of the sedation you must come accompanied and not drive or operate machinery that day, since sedation medications temporarily slow your reflexes.
You receive the findings and recommendations immediately after the exam. If samples were taken, the histopathological, cytological and microbiological results arrive in the following days.
Yes. It is a routine procedure with low risk, performed with constant supervision by an anesthesiologist and monitoring of vital functions. Serious complications are extremely rare.
No. At Medical Time you can schedule bronchoscopy without a referral, usually quickly and without a long wait.